News

THE prospect of generating power from the waters around Guernsey has moved a significant step closer with the announcement of a major tidal turbine project off the Welsh island of Anglesey.

UK electricity giant npower and Bristol-based Marine Current Turbines (MCT), in which Guernsey Electricity is a minority shareholder, have unveiled plans to build a tidal farm capable of producing clean, renewable energy for about 10,000 UK homes.

It is likely to be one of the first commercial projects of its type in the world, generating enough electricity to meet approximately 7.5% of Guernsey’s demand, and could be in operation as early as 2011.

Guernsey Electricity managing director Ian Watson said it was an exciting development, and npower’s involvement underlined the industry’s growing confidence in MCT’s design.

‘We believe tidal generation represents by far the most suitable source of renewable energy for Guernsey, and the announcement of this major scheme is a serious indication of faith in the MCT technology,’ he said.

The location chosen, known as the Skerries, is believed to be one of the prime locations in UK waters for such a project, due to its favourable tidal conditions. Guernsey has also previously been identified as having similar potential.

‘The possibilities for wind power in Guernsey are limited, simply because we don’t have the space available to deploy this technology on any large scale. However where tidal stream generation is concerned, the waters around us are some of the best in the world,’ said Mr Watson.

‘The prospect of the island being able to generate clean, renewable electricity is very real, and with this announcement that possibility is now a good deal closer.’

In a separate development, MCT has also announced that its full-scale turbine design will be installed next month in Strangford Lough, Northern Island. This will be the first commercial-sized tidal stream device to be connected to an electricity grid.

The 1.2 Megawatt ‘SeaGen’ turbine will generate the same amount of electricity as a typical 60 metre tall wind turbine, and is expected to take around two weeks to install. Scientists from Queen’s University Belfast and St Andrew’s Sea Mammal Research Unit will then begin a three month study to assess any effects on the local marine habitat.

MCT managing director Martin Wright said the company has carried out extensive engineering ahead of its installation and operation.

‘As long as the weather is good and there are no last minute operational issues to contend with, we should have SeaGen deployed by the end of March,’ he said.